Answer this question truthfully
### Question: Who is at highest risk for Carotid artery stenosis ?
### Response: Risk factors for blockage or narrowing of the arteries include:
High blood pressure Diabetes Heart disease High cholesterol Heavy alcohol use Kidney disease, especially when dialysis is needed Cocaine abuse Family history of stroke Increasing age
Smoking is also a risk factor. Smoking increases the risk of most types of stroke. People who smoke one pack a day have over two times the risk of stroke compared to nonsmokers.
Two uncommon conditions called Marfan syndrome and fibromuscular dysplasia (abnormal growth or development of the cells in the walls of carotid arteries) may also cause narrowing of the carotid arteries.